The grassroots of the Oyate at Pine Ridge, South Dakota, has accepted an offer for others
to rally here in Seattle in support of their struggle.
This is an opportunity for us to use the alliances built around the World Trade
Organization to help bring attention to a long ignored issue: the
rights of the First Nations to govern themselves and control their own lives.

" On January 17, 2000 at 10:00 a.m., a group of concerned Grass Roots
Oyate (people) met with representatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to
determine what action, if any, the Federal Government will take against the corrupt Oglala
Sioux Tribal Treasurer and Council Members.

" Hundreds of tribal members filed into the cramped office space to tell their
stories to the federal agents. Stories of land stealing, homelessness, poverty,
tribal law enforcement abuses, lack of accountability from elected officials. Two
hours later, the FBI agents were growing weary and requested a break to speak with
media on the scene.

" The Grass Roots Oyate took control of the Tribal Office on Sunday,
January 16, 2000 for the sole purpose of protecting the files from tampering. The Grass
Roots Oyate, consisting of tribal members - young and old, have stated that they will
retain control of the building until their demands (see attached) are met. This group
feels that this action is long overdue and has demanded the immediate removal of Oglala
Sioux Tribal Treasurer Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs for gross misconduct and
mismanagement of tribal funds. Additionally, the Grass Roots Oyate is seeking the removal
of Tribal Council Representatives who are involved in the corruption of this tribal
government.

" At the close of today's meeting, the FBI agents informed the Oglala
people that they have acquired some financial records already from unnamed sources and an
investigation is underway. They stated that they are not at liberty to elaborate on this
investigation but added that they are investigating various programs within the Tribe and
they hope to conclude this process soon.

" The FBI stated that they will return to the Red Cloud Tribal Building
on Tuesday, January 18, 2000 to hear further testimony.

Since this press release was issued, there has been a media blackout. In the meantime,
Oglala Sioux Tribal Treasurer Wesley "Chuck" Jacobs has stated that he would
remove occupants of the office by force if necessary, and has twice attempted entry into
the office, but so far to no avail. The Oyate are still holding strong, but need the
support of all of us if they are to win on their demands. The FBI is supposedly
investigating the matter, and they must know that they must also be held to their word.
The Oyate demands are included at the end of this post.

The Oyate are requesting that this is a peaceful demonstration. If anyone engages in
violence, it will be considered disrespectful toward their cause, and they are the ones
that determine how they will be supported.

1. Full forensic audit of all OST income including Prairie Wind Casino. This audit
must be made public to all Oglala Sioux Tribal members.

2. Enforcement of the OST Constitution & By- Laws; Specifically to Article
X- Land: Section XI Use of Unassigned Land. Any income derived from such land shall accrue
to the benefit of the Tribe as a whole. That those funds be set aside and distributed
equally to each district. ($200,000,000 ).

3. Under the IRA ( Indian Reorganization Act), Section 5 provides for the recovery
of tribal lands that the Secretary of Interior shall exercise this right in purchasing all
land, water rights and surface rights to land within or without existing reservation and
turn over OST trust land. Under this provision the Secretary of Interior shall pay to FHA
the outstanding balance of land purchased under the FHA loan, further that the Secretary
and United States Congress return to the Oglala Sioux Tribe, land known as the Buffalo Gap
National Grass Land, and all other that Section V of IRA (Indian Reorganization Act),
states and carry out to the fullest extent of this section.

4. Secretary of Interior do whatever is necessary to return jurisdiction to the
Oglala Sioux Tribe in Bennett and Jackson Counties.

5. That the U.S. Government honor our sovereignty and refrain from all things that
they do, such as, involving the State in any and all actions. The U.S. Supreme Court has
ruled that the Oglala Sioux Tribe is a sovereign nation within a nation and the supreme
law of the land. The Tribe has the right to negotiate government to government which
excludes the State. That the U.S. Government enforces and abides by all treaties and
rights of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

6. Secretary of Interior will honor and see to this trust as trust responsibility on
Oglala Sioux Tribal land, known as "The South Unit", under the General
Management Plan Revision/Development, which was signed and approved the OST Council, Dir.
Of Rocky Mountain Region, Dir. Of National Park Service and the Secretary of Interior on
1/2/76. The South Unit land belongs to the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

7. The OST Council has violated their Oath of Office to the US Constitution and OST
Constitution, therefore all council members and the OST Treasurer are to be removed from
office immediately, in the best interest of Constitution and OST Constitution, therefore
all council members and the OST Treasurer are to be removed from office immediately, in
the best interest of the OST and its members.

8. All funds owed to programs be paid back in full immediately and programs be left
to administrate their programs effectively, without interference from tribal government,
except where otherwise stated in the program contract.

9. A full land audit be conducted on the First National Bank of Gordon, Gordon,
Nebraska to determine how much tribal land they have obtained as collateral for bailouts,
etc.